Duke vs Miami FL Showdown Tonight: Start Time, Live Stream, Odds & Key Players in Crucial ACC Battle

Miami Gardens, Fla. — No. 7 Miami Hurricanes are clinging to a 22-17 lead over the upset-minded Duke Blue Devils with 11:55 left in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium, a pivotal ACC clash that has postseason ramifications for both programs. Live score & recap • 2Q — Mark Fletcher Jr. plowed in from four yards out to put Miami ahead 10-3, but Duke’s Nate Sheppard answered with a 47-yard sprint to tie it 10-10. • 3Q — Darian Mensah hit tight end Jalin Mallory on a 63-yard strike that stretched the Hurricanes’ margin to 22-10 after the two-point try failed. • 3Q — Sheppard’s second rushing TD, a five-yard burst, trimmed the deficit to five heading to the final period. Stat leaders • Miami QB Darian Mensah: 25-of-35, 314 yards, 1 TD. • Duke RB Nate Sheppard: 13 carries, 123 yards, 2 TD; 7 catches, 40 yards. • Miami RB Jordan Lyle: 52 rushing yards on seven totes. What’s at stake The Hurricanes (8-1, 6-0 ACC) can clinch a berth in the ACC Championship Game today with a victory and help elsewhere, while Duke (7-2, 4-2) needs a road win to stay alive in the divisional race and bolster its New Year’s Six bowl résumé. Game flow Miami’s defense dominated early, holding Duke to 40 first-quarter yards, yet the Blue Devils found rhythm behind power runs and timely play-action. Special teams have also tilted the field: Miami kicker Josh Weinberg is 3-for-3 on field goals, accounting for nine critical points. How to watch • TV: ABC (nationwide) • Live stream: ESPN app (cable login) or FuboTV (free trial) • Radio: 560 WQAM (Miami), 96.5 FM (Durham) Betting update DraftKings had Miami as a 7.5-point favorite at kickoff with the total hovering at 52.5. Live odds shifted to Hurricanes -14 after their third-quarter surge before Duke’s late touchdown tightened the spread. Key storyline to monitor Can Duke’s front contain Mensah’s quick-strike passing or will Miami’s balanced attack salt the game away? Turnovers loom large—neither side has coughed up the ball yet, but a single miscue could decide the outcome in the closing minutes. Why it matters Beyond conference standings, today’s matchup features two rising programs with top-20 recruiting classes and ambitious coaches. A statement win on national television boosts brand visibility, strengthens playoff committee perception, and energizes coastal recruiting battles. Refresh this page after the final whistle for a complete box score, post-game analysis, and quotes from Mike Elko and Mario Cristobal.